Romney followed a tradition started by former Governor Bill Weld in sending out proclamations for “Gay/Straight Youth Pride Day” in 2003 and 2004. Later, Romney sought to abolish the 14-year-old Massachusetts Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth, which sponsored the event, angry that his name appeared on an unauthorized press release touting it. Romney changed course the same day and instead “directed the commission not to use taxpayer money for parades and parties and to refocus their resources on counseling and the development of strategies for the prevention of violence and suicide,” his spokesmen Eric Fehrnstrom said at the time.
